World Immunization Week 2014: Know, Check, Protect

24–30 April 2014

Immunization prevents between 2 and 3 million deaths every year. Without vaccines, global eradication of smallpox and elimination of poliomyelitis and measles from large parts of the world would have been impossible. New, improved vaccines are now available to protect not just children, but also adolescents and adults. Yet 1 in 5 children, and many adults, are missing out. A lack of knowledge about vaccination is a key reason why some adults consciously choose not to get vaccinated themselves or to vaccinate their children.

For this year’s Immunization Week campaign, on 24-30 April, we encourage people around the world to find out what vaccines are available, check their vaccination status, and get the vaccines they need.